Latest news with #safeschools
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Hundreds brave rain to rally for Zara Qairina and safer schools in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 17 — Rallies across Sabah continued to be held in remembrance of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. On Saturday evening, one such rally took place at Lintasan Deasoka here, with around 500 people in attendance despite continuous rain. Participants stood under umbrellas as they chanted support for Zara and her family, while others held placards demanding that schools be made safe spaces for all. Police guarded the perimeter to safeguard against any untoward incidents. According to organiser Jaya Kumar, 47, from the Indian Civil Servant Retirees Organisation, the gathering was to demand justice for Zara and highlight the rising number of bullying incidents. Jaya said if it wasn't for the rakyat's voices, the case might have already been closed, expressing dismay over a recent report that an investigating officer in the case failed to follow Standard Operating Procedures. 'This issue does not involve race or religion, it involves the loss of a child's life. I have children. How can I trust to send them to school with the situation now? Strict action must be taken by the authorities, parents and schools over this bullying issue. I hope that not just in Sabah, but the whole Malaysia, we do not see a second Zara,' he said. Organiser Jaya Kumar said the gathering is also to highlight the rising number of bullying incidents. — The Borneo Post pic Meanwhile, Dato Seri Rajandran, 66, said to be from the Kedah Royal Family Association, suggested that schools place a complaint box for reporting bullying incidents. He explained that such boxes would give both students and staff a safe channel to report problems or daily incidents without fear of reprisal. 'With these boxes, we can receive daily updates on what is happening in schools and detect incidents early. I came here not to complain to any party, but to fight for justice as Malaysians. A Malaysian's blood was spilled – let us try to prevent another,' he said. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid: Malaysia pledges stronger disaster preparedness in education sector, RM135m allocated to build relief centres for high-risk schools
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the resilience of its education system to disasters through the launch of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, which aligns with the United Nations' Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he conveyed the message during a Ministerial Roundtable themed 'Safe Schools' at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva today. 'This policy focuses on comprehensive risk reduction across all sectors, including the safety and continuity of education,' he said in a statement. According to Ahmad Zahid, one of the key initiatives highlighted was the development of the Disaster Risk Reduction Education Module by the Ministry of Education, UNICEF Malaysia and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), which will benefit nearly 7,800 primary schools nationwide. He said the module emphasises experiential learning, hands-on training and active student engagement in line with the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response framework. To ensure comprehensive implementation, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia is also exploring strategic collaborations with non-governmental organisations, private companies and government-linked companies. 'At the same time, NADMA's Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programme successfully engaged nearly 44,000 Malaysians, including over 12,000 youths, over the past year,' he added. He also shared Malaysia's initiative to build Permanent Relief Centres in high-risk school areas, with a federal government allocation of RM135 million. These centres will function as shelters during disasters and serve as community learning hubs during normal times. 'Malaysia has also expressed its readiness to share expertise and foster cross-border collaboration in strengthening global school safety. 'We believe that investing in resilience today is the best protection for our children's future,' he said, while leading the Malaysian delegation to the Eighth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. — Bernama
Malay Mail
04-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Zahid heads to Geneva for UN disaster summit
KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is leading Malaysia's delegation to the Eighth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva on June 4 and 5. The Foreign Ministry (MOFA), in a statement today, said Ahmad Zahid is accompanied by senior officials from MOFA, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the National Disaster Management Agency. 'The Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver Malaysia's National Statement at the eighth GPDRR. He will be speaking at a ministerial roundtable session on the topic of 'Safe Schools Now: Protecting Every Child from Disaster and Climate Risk',' it said. 'The Deputy Prime Minister will reiterate Malaysia's continued commitment to disaster management through the launch of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, the implementation of the Safe School Programme and the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Programme as well as through the introduction of a Disaster Risk Reduction education programme,' it added. While in Geneva, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, is also scheduled to meet the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore. 'The meeting is aimed at exploring potential areas of collaboration between Malaysia and international partners on disaster risk management,' according to the statement. The GPDRR is a platform for assessing progress made by United Nations member states on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Malaysia is a pioneer member of this network and remains unwavering in its commitment to managing and pre-empting disasters in line with the 2030 National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy. — Bernama
